Connection-disconnection device between one rigid pipe, inside well-tubing connected to a base by an articulated coupling, and another rigid pipe fixed to this base

ABSTRACT

This invention concerns the connection and disconnection of well-pipes in an articulated structure level with the articulation. 
     The device comprises a length of flexible pipe, at one end of which is an adapter containing a sealing device, a positioning device and a locking device, and at the other end of which is another adapter containing a sealing device and a locking device, these sealing, positioning and locking devices being designed to fit into upper and lower receptacles, the upper receptacle consisting of the lower end of the tubing pipe, and the lower receptacle consisting of the upper end of the seabed pipe, the whole connection-disconnection device being able to pass through the upper receptacle. 
     This connection-disconnection device is specially designed for use in articulated hydrocarbon-production installations.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 096,840,filed Nov. 23, 1980, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns a device for connecting and disconnecting pipesin an articulated structure level with the articulation.

Use of such articulated structures, particularly in the form ofarticulated tubing for underwater hydrocarbon-production operations,raises the problem of connecting the pipes inside such tubings to pipesfixed to the seabed, flexibly enough to adapt to oscillatory movementsof the tubing caused by movements in the water in which it is installed.

In French patent application No. 75 11505 of Apr. 14, 1975, theapplicant described a device comprising a production pipe which couldmove freely inside a guide-well, which itself is fixed to an articulatedtubing, this production pipe containing a lower component connected onthe one hand to a base pipe by means of a connection-disconnectiondevice remote-controlled from the surface, and on the other hand to thefollowing production pipe component by a coupling, forming a pistonwhich can only slide lengthwise inside a cylindrical seating consistingof the lower portion of the guide-well.

In such a device, bending forces level with the articulated joint of thetubing are distributed along the lower component, which can be removedand replaced from the surface.

Such a solution is perfectly suitable for connecting pipes of smallcross-sectional areas, such as pipes less than 200 mm in diameter, andparticularly in an off-centre position. This is because these couplings,if they are constructed with rigid pipes, cannot respond satisfactorilyto stress variations resulting from the off-centre position. However,portions of flexible pipe, consisting of concentric layers of elasticmaterials such a neoprene, with inserted reinforcements, possibly ofmetal, can be used at the tubing base in fairly axial positions to thetubing.

This invention describes a method of installing and removing theseflexible pipe components for maintenance, by providing them withconnection-disconnction devices at both ends.

These connection-disconnection devices, basically mechanical in nature,are used to instal or remove the flexible pipe by lowering or raising itthrough the pipe inside the articulated tubing, from the rig surfaceabove the water.

In this process for connecting and disconnecting one rigid tubular pipe,referred as the tubing pipe, inside tubing connected to a base by anarticulated coupling, and another rigid tubular pipe, fixed to this baseand referred to as the base pipe, a flexible component to connect thetubing pipe and base pipe is lowered through the tubing pipe, at leastone end of this connecting component is positioned, and each end of thecomponent is locked in turn into the corresponding ends of the tubingpipe and base pipe, a watertight seal being provided at each end.

In this process, the length of the flexible connecting pipe between itsadapter ends is less than the distance between the correspondingcomponents at the ends of the tubing and base pipes, and one end, whichcontains a positioning device, is locked in position, the flexibleconnecting pipe is stretched, by being either pulled or pressurized, andthe other end is locked in position.

In another process for connecting and disconnecting one rigid tubularpipe, referred to as the tubing pipe, inside tubing connected to a baseby an articulated coupling, and another rigid tubular pipe, fixed tothis base and referred to as the base pipe, a flexible component toconnect the tubing pipe and base is lowered through the tubing pipe, thelength of this flexible connecting pipe between a positioning device atthe top and a locking device at the bottom being less than the distancebetween the corresponding components at the ends of the tubing and basepipes, and the upper end of the flexible connecting pipe is positionedinside the lower end of the tubing pipe, the flexible pipe is stretchedby pressurizing it, and finally the lower end is locked in positioninside the base pipe.

The connection-disconnection device used in this process between a rigidtubular pipe, referred to as the tubing pipe, inside tubing connected toa base by an articulated coupling, and another rigid tubular pipe fixedto this base, and referred to as the base pipe, comprises a flexiblepipe with at one end an adapter containing a sealing device and alocking device, and at the other end another adapter containing asealing device, one of these two adapters also containing a positioningdevice, these sealing, positioning and locking devices being designed tofit inside an upper receptacle consisting of the lower end of the tubingpipe and a lower receptacle consisting of the upper end of the basepipe, the minimum inside cross-sectional area of the upper receptaclebeing greater than the largest outside circumference of the flexiblepipe and adapter below the positioning device on the adapter inside theupper receptacle, and the sealing device on the first adapter beingpositioned on the other side of the locking device from the flexiblepipe.

When the second adapter contains a positioning device designed to fitinto the upper receptacle, connection to the lower receptacle isobtained by pressurizing the space inside the flexible pipe.

In one embodiment, the first adapter contains a positioning device,designed to fit inside the upper receptacle.

In another embodiment, the second adapter also contains a locking deviceand a positioning device, the sealing devices on each adapter beinglocated on the other side of the locking device from the flexible pipe,and the distance between reference points on the positioning devices onupper and lower adapters being approximately equal to the distancebetween matching reference points on the corresponding positioningdevices in the upper and lower receptacles.

In one recommended embodiment, the second adapter also contains alocking device, the sealing devices on each adapter being located on theother side of the locking device from the flexible pipe, and thedistance between reference points on the locking devices on upper andlower adapters being less than the distance between matching referencepoints on the corresponding locking devices in the upper and lowerreceptacles, by an amount not exceeding one quarter of the possibleelastic elongation of the flexible pipe.

When the first adapter contains a positioning device designed to fitinto the upper receptacle, connection to the lower receptacle isobtained by pressurizing the space inside the flexible pipe.

When the first adapter is designed to fit into the lower receptacleconnection to the lower receptacle is obtained by pulling the flexiblepipe upwards.

In various embodiments, the device to position an adapter inside itsreceptacle comprises an annular surface tapering outwards towards thetop, between an upper cylindrical section and a lower cylindricalsection of the adapter, and designed to rest on a tapering annularseating surface between an upper section and a lower section of theinside surface of the receptacle, the dimensions of the upper and lowersections of the receptacle being slightly greater than the correspondingupper and lower sections of the adapter.

In various embodiments, the device to lock an adapter inside itsreceptacle comprises an annular slot on the outside circumference ofeach adapter and at least one locking component, with a remote-controlsystem on the surface which moves it from a non-locking position throughan aperture in the wall of the receptacle into a locking position, bothslot and aperture being at the same distance from the positioningdevice.

In one recommended embodiment, the system for controlling the lockingmovement comprises at least one cylindrical weight which moves along acylindrical casing, on an axis parallel to the axis of the receptacleand fixed to the side of it, the weight being connected by cable withthe surface, and terminating in a tapering lower end, which rests onpart of the circumference of the locking component.

In this embodiment, the locking component consists of a vertical platewhich can rotate freely round an axis formed by a pivot, the ends ofwhich are fixed to the receptacle, and the lower end of the component,facing towards the inside of the receptacle, is shaped in such a waythat it can rest inside the slot on the adapter, while the part of thelocking component facing outwards is shaped in such a way that, whateverposition the locking component is in on its axis, the tapering lower endof the cylindrical weight will rest on at least one point of it.

In one particular embodiment, the system operated from the surface tolock a lower adapter into the lower receptacle comprises an annularweight, connected to the surface by at least one operating cable, andthe inside diameter of the major cylindrical part of which is greaterthan the largest outside diameter of the lower adapter and less than theoutside diameter of a flange connecting the flexible pipe to the loweradapter, this same major cylindrical part extending downwards in abell-shaped tapering mouth, this annular weight sliding along the loweradapter, from an initial position of readiness beneath the upperreceptacle, before the connection-disconnection device is lowered, to asecond position in readiness, in contact with the flange connecting theflexible pipe with the lower adapter, to a final locking position, inwhich the internal tapering section rests on the outer circumference oflocking components, the pivots of which are positioned further down, ata distance from the axis greater than the inside radius of the ring.

It will be easier to understand the invention from the followingdescription of some possible embodiments among others, illustrated bythe following figures:

FIG. 1 shows the connection-disconnection device.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an upper adapter with positioning,locking and sealing devices, in its receptacle.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a lower adapter with positioning,locking and sealing devices, in its receptacle.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a lower adapter with positioning,locking and sealing devices, with control by an annular weight.

FIG. 5 shows a device with an upper adapter with all three devices and alower adapter with a sealing device.

FIG. 6 shows a device with upper and lower adapters each withpositioning, locking and sealing devices.

FIG. 7 shows a device with an upper adapter with all three devices and alower adapter with sealing and locking devices.

FIG. 8 shows a device with a lower adapter with all three devices and anupper adapter with sealing and locking devices.

FIG. 9 shows a device with an upper adapter with sealing and positioningdevices and a lower adapter with sealing and locking devices.

FIG. 1 gives a diagrammatical view of a device to connect and disconnecta tubing pipe with a base pipe in an articulated structure, level withthe articulation.

The articulation 1 consists in this case of a universal joint comprisinga ring 2 with four pivoting components 3, 4, 5 and 6, along fourorthogonal radial axes. The outer ends of components 3 and 5 areconnected by plates 7 to an articulated tubing (not shown here), whilethe outer ends of the other two components 4 and 6 are connected byplates 8 to a base 8'.

A rigid tubular pipe 9, the tubing pipe, is attached inside thearticulated tubing by means not shown here. A rigid tubular pipe 10, thebase pipe, is fixed to the base 8' by means not shown here.

The pipe 9 is connected to the pipe 10 by means of aconnection-disconnection device 11.

This device comprises a flexible pipe component 12, at one end of whichis an upper adapter 13, which fits into an upper receptacle 14consisting of the lower end of the tubing pipe 9, and at the other end alower adapter 15, which fits into a lower receptacle 16 consisting ofthe upper end of the base pipe 10. The receptacle 16 extends upwards inthe form of a splayed tapering component 16'.

FIG. 2 shows an upper adapter 13, comprising a metal tubular shaft 13',the lower end of which is connected to a flexible pipe 12. This upperadapter contains at least one sealing device 17, of a type known in theexisting art, which provides a seal between the adapter 13 and the pipe,and at least one locking device 18. The embodiment shown here alsocomprises a positioning device 19. When the upper adapter contains allthree devices, it is known as a "triple-function adapter". The adapter13 shown in FIG. 2 is of this type.

In such an adapter, the positioning device 19 comprises an annularsurface 20 tapering outwards towards the top, on the outer circumferenceof the adapter, so shaped that it can rest on a matching taperingannular seating surface on the inside of the receptacle 14.

This tapering annular surface 21 forms part of a collar 13" screwed onto the upper end of the adapter 13, and holding the sealing device 17 inplace.

The locking device 18 comprises an annular slot 22 on the outercircumference of the adapter. This co-operates with a locking component23, consisting of a metal plate, part of which is so shaped that it willpenetrate into the slot 22 and rest on it. This plate can rotate freelyround an axis, in the form of a pivot 24, the ends of which are fixed tothe receptacle 14. This locking component 23 moves through an aperture25 in the wall of the receptacle 14; the axes of this aperture 25 andslot 22 are at the same distance from the positioning device 19.

The lower end of the locking component 23, facing the inside of thereceptacle 14, contains a part 23' which, in the locking position, restson the surface of the slot 22 in the adapter, and the other side of thecomponent, facing outwards from the receptacle 14, containts a part 23",which, whatever position the locking component is in on its pivot, willcome into contact with the tapering lower end 26' of a weight 26 whichcan move parallel to the axis of the upper receptacle 14.

This weight, which operates the locking device, moves along acylindrical casing 26", on an axis parallel to the axis of thereceptacle 14 and fixed to the outside of it.

The weight is connected by an operating cable 26'" to the surface (notshown here).

The sealing device 17 is located on the other side of the locking device18 from the flexible pipe 12. In the case of the upper adapter 13, thesealing device 17 is located above the locking device 18.

FIG. 3 shows a lower adapter 15, fitting into a lower receptacle 16,along a plane through the axis ZZ' of this receptacle, which consists ofthe upper end of the base pipe 10, with a lining 16" inside this pipeend. The receptacle extends upwards in a funnel-shaped tapering mouth16' which provides a means of centering and positioning the adapter.

The lower adapter 15 contains a positioning device 27, consisting of atapering annular surface 28 towards the top. This annular surface 28, atthe top of the adapter 15, rests on a tapering annular seating surface29, on the inside of the receptacle, and in this case consisting of partof the mouth 16'.

The adapter 15 also contains a locking device 30, comprising an annularslot 31 on the outside perimeter of the adapter, and at least onelocking component 32, consisting of a vertical plate, which can rotatefreely round an axis formed by a pivot 33, the ends of which are fixedto the receptacle. This locking component passes freely through anaperture 34 in the wall of the receptacle 16. The slot 31 and aperture34 are at the same distance from the matching surfaces 28 and 29 of thepositioning device 27.

The lower end of the locking component 32, towards the inside of thereceptacle 14, contains a part 32', which in the locking position restson the surface of the slot 31 in the adapter, and the other side of thecomponent, facing outwards from the receptacle 16, contains a part 32",which, whatever position the locking component is in on its pivot, willcome into contact with the tapering lower end 35' of a weight 35 whichcan move parallel to the axis of the upper receptacle 16. This weight,which operates the locking device, moves along a cylindrical casing 36,on an axial parallel to the axis of the receptacle 16 and fixed to theoutside of it. The weight is connected by an operating cable 35'" to thesurface (not shown here).

The lower adapter 15 contains a sealing device 37 of a type known in theexisting art. This provides a seal between the adapter 15 and insidecircumference of the lining 16", and is located below the locking device30.

Finally, the lower adapter 15 can be equipped with a moveable device 40to close the passage inside it. This is of a type known in the existingart, such as a tapering annular seating surface 41 on the insidecircumference of the connecting flange 44, and on which can rest theannular bearing surface 42' of a flap 42. This is operated, and morespecifically removed or placed in position, by a cable 43 connected tothe surface. This moveable closing device is used in the systemillustrated in FIG. 7.

The lower adapter 15 in FIG. 4 contains the same main components as theadapter in FIG. 3. The lower adapter 15 consists of the upper end of thebase pipe 10, to which a lining 16" has been fitted. This liningcontains a tapering annular seating surface 29, which can fit against atapering surface 28 on the outer circumference of the adapter. Thecombination of these two surfaces 28 and 29 provides means to positionthe adapter inside its receptacle. The inside surface of the lining 16"is machined in order to ensure very close contact with the sealingdevice 37, of a type known in the existing art, which fits round theouter circumference of the adapter 15.

The lower receptacle 16 extends upwards in a funnel-shaped taperingmouth, which provides a means of centring and positioning the adapter.

The adapter 15 is connected to the flexible pipe 12 by a connector 12'with an outside diameter D.

The adapter also contains a locking device 30, comprising an annularslot 31 in the outer circumference of the adapter. This slot may bestraight and symmetrical in section, as in FIG. 3, or asymmetrical as inFIG. 4, where it corresponds to a reduction in the outside diameter ofthe adapter between a lower section and an upper section, and at leastone locking component 38, consisting of a vertical plate, which canrotate freely round an axis formed by a pivot 33, the ends of which arefixed to the receptacle 16 by means of side-plates 33'. This lockingcomponent passes freely through an aperture 34 in the wall 16" of thereceptacle 16.

The locking components 38 can move on pivots 33 at their lower end, andthey are equipped with spring components not shown which allow onlyslight movement on each side of the locking position.

By means of this arrangement, when the adapter 15 is lowered, a suitabletapering surface 15' at the lower end pushes the locking components 38apart, and the internal tapering surface at the bottom of the annularweight 39 presses on them during locking.

The upper end of the locking component 38, towards the inside of thereceptacle 16, contains a part 38' shaped in such a way that in thelocking position it will rest on the surface of the slot 31 in theadapter. For this to be possible, the distance between the surface 28and the lower edge of the slot 31, and the distance between the seatingsurface 29 and the part 38' of the locking component which rests on thelower edge of the slot 31, must be equal. The upper end of the lockingcomponent 38, facing outwards from the receptacle 16, contains a part38" which is so shaped that, when the locking component is resting onthe slot 31, the inner tapering circumference of the annular weight 39will rest on part 38.

The inside diameter d of this annular weight is greater than the maximumoutside diameter of the adapter 15, but less than the diameter D of theconnector 12.

This annular weight 39 can move along parallel to the axis of thereceptacle 16, and is connected by three operating cables such as 39'with the surface (not shown here), from where they are operated.

In any such connection-disconnection device, comprising an upper adapter13, as illustrated in FIG. 2, and which may not contain any positioningdevice, a flexible pipe 12, and lower adapter 15, as illustrated in FIG.3 or FIG. 4, and which may not contain any positioning device and/orlocking device, the minimum inside cross-sectional area of the upperreceptacle 14 is greater than the largest outside circumference of theflexible pipe and adapters, below the positioning device on the upperadapter, where such as a device exists.

LOCKING OF ADAPTERS

Because of the relative dimensions of the components involved, theconnection-disconnection device can be lowered from the surface insidethe tubing pipe 9, using a tool-laying system (not shown here), whichholds the top part of the inside surface of the upper adapter 13. Thissystem is operated by a cable or rods from the surface.

When the upper adapter shown in FIG. 2 and lower adapter shown in FIG. 3have been positioned, they are locked in the same way, by the use ofweights operated from the surface, which move downwards, coming intocontact with the parts 23" and 32" on the locking components, andcausing them to rotate on their axis, so that the parts 23' and 32' comeinto contact with the surface of the corresponding slots 22 and 31, andholding them there.

Fitting of the lower adapter shown in FIG. 4 comprises three stages.

When the connection-disconnection device is being lowered, the loweradapter, as it passes through the uppper receptacle and emerges belowit, also passes through the opening in the annular weight, which is heldby its cables in a position of readiness, immediately beneath the upperreceptacle.

As the lower adapter continues to be lowered, the coupling 12' comesinto contact with the top of the weight 39, and pulls it downwards to asecond position of readiness, in which the surface 28 rests on theseating surface 29 of the positioning device.

Finally, the cables attached to the annular weight are released from thesurface, and the weight comes down over the other end of the lockingcomponent 38, moving it into the locking position.

UNLOCKING OF ADAPTERS

Whatever combination of upper and lower adapters is chosen, removal ofthe connection-disconnection device always begins with raising of thelocking weights.

When the weights have been raised from each adapter, the adapters can bedisconnected simply by pulling on them, and the device raised to thesurface.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION OF MAIN EMBODIMENTS AND PROCEDURE

Four types of devices are illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8, and thespecial operating features of each of them will be described.

FIG. 5 shows a connection-disconnection device comprising atriple-function upper adapter 13, while the lower adapter 15 containsonly a sealing device.

The device, attached to a tool-laying system, cable or rods, is loweredthrough the tubing pipe, with the locking device 18 in the non-lockingposition.

Means known in the existing art are used to check that the lower endfits properly into the base pipe. When the positioning device 19 is incontact, the locking device 18 is operated from the surface.

During production operations, and if the articulated tubing is subjectto considerable displacement, the problem is that the sealing device 37on the lower adapter has to move. This involves wear and the possibilityof leakage.

The connection-disconnection device illustrated in FIG. 6 comprises atriple-function upper adapter and triple-function lower adapter.

In this device, the distance between reference points on the positioningdevices of upper and lower adapters is approximately equal to thedistance between similar reference points on the correspondingpositioning devices on upper and lower receptacles. This means thatduring installation the upper and lower adapters are placed in positiontogether.

Each adapter is held immobile inside its receptacle, and even if thearticulated tubing moves from the vertical, no movement will take placein the sealing devices. The same would be true for a device comprising atriple-function upper adapter and a lower adapter containing a sealingdevice and a locking device.

Although there is no danger of damage to sealing devices in theseembodiments, account has to be taken of the difficulties involved in thefact that the flexible pipe has to operate under compression. This meanspremature wear on this flexible pipe.

FIG. 7 shows a connection-disconnection device comprising atriple-function upper adapter 13, while the lower adapter contains asealing device and a locking device. The lower adapter also contains aclosing valve 40, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The lengths of the different parts of the device shown in FIG. 7 aresuch that when the upper adapter 13 is placed in position and locked,the axis of the slot 31 in the lower adapter 15 is higher than the axisof the aperture 34 in the receptacle.

The device, attached to a tool-laying system, cable or rods, is loweredthrough the tubing pipe 9. Means known in the existing art are used tocheck that the lower adapter 15 is inside the receptacle 16.

When the upper adapter 13 has been positioned by the positioning device19, the locking operation is performed from the surface. The axis of theslot 31 in the lower adapter 15 is still above the axis of the aperture34.

The valve 40 inside the adapter 15 is shut, and the inside of the pipe 9is pressurized, if the device has been lowered by cable, or the spaceinside the line of rods, if the device has been lowered by such means.As the result of this pressurization, the flexible pipe 12 stretchesuntil the axes of the slot 31 and apertures 34 have come level.

Once this position has been reached, the locking weights 35 arereleased. They push against the locking components, and the loweradapter 15 is locked in position. Pressure is released and the valve 40opened by withdrawing the flap.

When the connection-disconnection device is installed in this way, theflexible pipe is prestressed in extension, which offers considerablebenefits from the point of view of fatigue in the flexible materials,and consequently wear on the whole device.

The connection-disconnection device shown in FIG. 8 comprises an upperadapter 13 which contains a sealing device and a locking device, and atriple-function lower adapter.

The lengths of the different parts of the device shown in FIG. 8 aresuch that, when the lower adapter 15 is placed in position and locked,the axis of the slot 22 in the upper adapter 13 is lower than the axisof the aperture 25 in the receptacle 14.

The connection-disconnection device, attached to a tool-laying system,cable or rods, is lowered through the pipe 9. Means known in theexisting art are used to check that the lower adapter 15 is inside thereceptacle 16.

When the lower adapter 15 has been positioned by the positioning device27, the locking operation is performed from the surface. The axis of theslot 22 in the upper adapter 13 is still below the axis of the aperture25.

The connection-disconnection device is then pulled upwards either by thecable or by the rod-line, until the flexible pipe 12 is stretched enoughfor the slot 22 in the upper adapter 13 to come level with the aperture25.

The locking weights 26 has been released and are pushing against thelocking components, so that when the slot 22 and aperture 25 come levelthe upper adapter 13 is locked into position. Traction on cable or rodsis released.

When the connection-disconnection device is installed in this way, theflexible pipe is prestressed in extension, which offers considerablebenefits from the point of view of fatigue in the flexible materials,and consequently wear on the whole device.

The connection-disconnection device shown in FIG. 9 comprises an upperadapter 13 containing a sealing device 17 and a positioning device 19,and a lower adapter 15 containing a sealing device 37 and a lockingdevice 30.

The lengths of the different parts of the device shown in FIG. 9 aresuch that when the upper adapter 13 is placed in position and sealed,the axis of the slot 31 in the lower adapter 15 is higher than the axisof the aperture 34 in the receptacle.

The device, attached to system, cable or rods, is lowered through thepipe 9. Means known in the existing art are used to check that the loweradapter 15 is inside the receptacle 16.

The valve 40 inside the adapter 15 is shut, and the inside of the pipe 9is pressurized, if the device has been lowered by cable, or the spaceinside the line of rods, if the device has been lowered by such means.As the result of this pressurization, the flexible pipe 12 stretchesuntil the axes of the slot 31 and the aperture 34 come level.

Once this position has been reached, the locking weights 35 arereleased. They push against the locking components, and the loweradapter 15 is locked in position. Pressure is released and the valve 40opened by withdrawing the flap. This is a variant on the proceduredescribed in connection with FIG. 7.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connection-disconnection device for use betweenpipe ends, comprising in combination:one pipe end and another pipe endspaced therefrom; an adaptor received within each pipe end and extendingtherebeyond, toward, and in spaced relation to the other adaptor; aflexible pipe, adapted to be stretched, interconnecting said adaptors; alock device carried on at least one of said pipe ends, said lock devicehaving a lock element interengageable with a lock recess on theassociated one of said adaptors to secure said one adaptor in said oneof said pipe ends; sealing means between each one of said adaptors andits associated pipe end for sealing engagement therewith; andpositioning means operable between at least one of said adaptors and itsassociated pipe end, said positioning means including inclined surfacemeans on said one adaptor in engagement with inclined surface means onits associated pipe end for seating said one adaptor in selectedlongitudinal relation with respect to its associated pipe end and forlongitudinally locating said one adaptor for interengagement of saidlock recess with said lock element.
 2. A connection and disconnectiondevice as stated in claim 1 includingmeans carried by said one of saidpipe ends for contact with said lock element for locking and releasingsaid lock device.
 3. A device as stated in claim 2 wherein said lockingand releasing means comprises:weight means adapted to be lowered andraised externally of said pipe ends for engagement and disengagementwith said lock element.
 4. A device as stated in claim 1 includingasecond lock device including a lock element on the other of said pipeends and a lock recess on the associated adaptor; and means forimparting a stretched condition to said flexible pipe between said pipeends after actuation of one of said lock devices.
 5. A device as statedin claim 4 wherein said means for imparting a stretched condition tosaid flexible pipe between said pipe ends includesmeans including avalve on one of said adaptors for closing the through passageway throughsaid flexible pipe and one of said pipe ends.
 6. In aconnection-disconnection device to join, by a flexible pipe to bestretched, pipe ends, comprising in combination,spaced pipe ends, eachpipe end providing a receptacle; an adaptor comprising an elongatecylindrical body member having a through passageway and an externalcylindrical surface, an annular transversely disposed groove in saidexternal surface between ends of said body member; a locking componentcarried by said receptacle to secure said adaptor against relativelongitudinal movement in said receptacle; annular seal means on saidexternal surface of said adaptor spaced from said groove and sealinglyengaging the internal surface of said receptacle; and an inclinedlanding surface adjacent one end of said body member engaged by acomplementary inclined landing surface on the internal surface of saidreceptacle for seating said body member in said receptacle in selectedlongitudinal relation to said annular groove and to said lockingcomponent carried by said receptacle, a second adaptor; a second pipeend providing a receptacle for receiving said second adaptor; each ofsaid adaptors being received within an associated receptacle at each endof said pipe ends; locking components provided for each adaptor and onan associated receptacle; a flexible pipe extending between saidadaptors; the longitudinal spacing of said annular grooves on saidadaptors and said locking components exceeding the unstretched length ofsaid flexible pipe and providing predetermined stretching of saidflexible pipe between said spaced adaptors after actuation of one ofsaid locking components and before actuation of the other lockingcomponent.
 7. A device as stated in claim 6 includingactuating means forsaid lock devices including weight means movable externally of saidadaptors and receptacles for urging each of said lock components intoits associated annular groove.
 8. A connection-disconnection devicecomprising in combination:a submerged rigid tubing pipe and a submergedrigid tubular base pipe having opposed pipe ends in spaced relation, anupper receptacle on the lower end of the tubing pipe and a lowerreceptacle on the upper end of the base pipe spaced from the lower endof the tubing pipe; a flexible pipe extending between said spaced upperand lower receptacles and in communication with said tubing and basepipe; a first adaptor within said upper receptacle and connected to saidflexible pipe; said first adaptor having a sealing means sealablyengaged with said upper receptacle; a second adaptor connected with theother end of said flexible pipe and received within said lowerreceptacle; said second adaptor being provided with a sealing meanssealingly engageable with said lower receptacle; locking devices on saidreceptacle and each having lock components engageable with lock means onsaid adaptors for securing said adaptors and receptacles againstrelative longitudinal movement; a positioning device including means onat least one of said first and second adaptors and means on the adjacentreceptacle to locate and seat the associated adaptor in its receptacle;the minimum inside cross-sectional area of the upper receptacle beinggreater than the largest outside circumference of the flexible pipe andsecond adaptor to permit passage of said flexible pipe and secondadaptor through the upper receptacle; the sealing means of the firstadaptor being positioned above the locking device at the first adaptor;each of said lock means comprising an annular groove on the outsidecircumference of each adaptor, and actuating means externally of saidreceptacles for moving said locking components from a non-lockingposition and through an aperture in the wall of the associatedreceptacle into a locking position with said annular groove, both grooveand aperture being at the same longitudinal distance from the associatedpositioning device.
 9. A device as stated in claim 8 wherein one of saidlocking devices comprises:at least one weight element, and a cylindricalcasing on an axis parallel to the axis of the associated receptacle andfixed to the external side of the receptacle, the weight element beingconnected by cable to means at the surface of the water and terminatingin a tapering lower end which rests on part of the surface of theassociated locking component.
 10. A device as stated in claim 8 whereinthe locking component comprises:a vertical plate rotatable freely abouta longitudinal axis formed by a pivot pin, the ends of said pivot pinbeing carried by the associated receptacle; the lower end of thevertical plate facing towards the inside of the receptacle, and shapedin such a way that it can rest inside the groove on the associatedadaptor, while the part of the plate facing outwards is shaped in such away that in whatever position the vertical plate is about its pivotaxis, the tapering lower end of the weight element will rest on at leastone part of the vertical plate.
 11. A device as defined in claim 8, inwhich said actuating means to lock the second adaptor in the lowerreceptacle comprises:an annular weight connected to at least oneoperating cable extending to the surface and the inside diameter of amajor cylindrical part of the annular weight being greater than thelargest outside diameter of the second adaptor and less than the outsidediameter of a flange on the second adaptor connecting the flexible pipeto the lower second adaptor, said major cylindrical part extendingdownwards in a bell-shaped tapering mouth, said annular weight slidingalong the second adaptor from an internal position of readiness beneaththe upper receptacle, before the connection-disconnection device islowered, to a second position in readiness in contact with the flangeconnecting the flexible pipe with the second adaptor, to a final lockingposition in which the internal tapering mouth rests on outer surfaces ofsaid locking components, the pivots of which are positioned further downat a distance from the axis greater than the inside radius of theannular weight.